The Dream of the Marsh Wren: Writing As Reciprocal Creation (Credo (Minneapolis, Minn.))

Rating:
Summary: This is an exquisite book of keen wit and redoubtable spirit
Review: I loved the poems in this book!. They are pleasantly elusive, requiring thoughtful participation on the part of the reader, but they are not so abstract as to be incomprehensible. Rogers provides images and language, ideas and propositions, that are precise and innovative. This book is a gift that I will reread as a favorite.

Rating:
Summary: A Book for Friends, Mainly
Review: Rogers' poems are so breathless, so intense, they require the captivated attention of their reader--fortunately they are good enough to command it. This book of Rogers' reflections on the genesis of her poetry is a book for friends and fans only--it is not a neutral enough book on craft, the writers' life, work habits, etc. that a general reader would find useful--I think poets like Mary Oliver, Donald Hall, Lisel Mueller have written better general audience books. Even for a fan of Rogers, the prose reflections are a little sparse and not very deeply probing until nearly half way through the book when Rogers begins dealing with her scientific background and concerns. Had she begun earlier, or had the book been longer, it might have gone in another direction--what does become clear are the motivations, designs, and methodology of Rogers' brilliant writing--all worth the price of admission.